Italian Lakes Wedding Planner

Those who follow the blog of Italian Lakes Wedding will have noticed that the Hotel San Rocco is often cited in our post: in fact many weddings held on Lake Orta have as their final destination this beautiful hotel in Orta San Giulio.

Recently, the structure has been completely renovated: here is the perfect opportunity to introduce you to the novelties and the top of the services offered by the Hotel San Rocco to the married couple, certainly the best you could have for an exclusive and romantic wedding on Italian Lakes.

THE ANCIENT WALLS

The history of Hotel San Rocco starts over 400 years ago. Looking over from the shores of the magical Piedmontese Lake Orta, in the pedestrian village of Orta San Giulio and bounded by the ancient walls of a monastery, this building, that for nearly 150 years was an enclosed convent, in 1960 officially became a hotel. Villa Gippini was added to the original structure afterwards which made Hotel San Rocco the most prestigious reception complex in the Lake Orta area. Now, four stars hotel with 80 rooms.

RESTAURANT

Famous for organizing special events and for moments and pleasures of the table, the Hotel San Rocco has a wonderful panoramic restaurant: an exceptional example of refinement and details care, as well as of the culinary art.
The Restaurant, at the first floor of the Hotel, with its big arched windows, enjoys a charming and romantic view: the Island of San Giulio, set like a jewel between the brilliant lake waters and the neighbouring hills that are mirrored in it, with their green mantles. Its cooking is managed by Paolo Viviani, Executive Chef of Novara, winner of the Olympic of the Rice.

TERRACE

Other great features of the hotel are the garden terrace which leads right to the water’s edge and the panoramic outdoor swimming pool. During the summer, Guests can delight, in the open air, light launches or dreamy dinners under the stars with candle lights.

LOUNGE BAR

The Hotel also offers a refined and cosy lounge bar lake view towards San Giulio Island, that becomes more romantic in the evening, where Guests can spend their time sipping aperitifs or enjoy their favourite drink. Seated in total relaxation in a leather armchair where once was the old boathouse, the guest may choose whether to be bewitched by the island of St.Giulio wreathed in its enchanting mists or be comforted and warmed by the flames flickering in the fireplace.

ROOMS

In the romantic background of Lake Orta, the charm of the past creates a modern and unique hospitality. Continue Reading »

Today we’ve officially opened the wedding season on Villa Bossi in Orta. We show you here the very first images of the event a real scoop!
Siobhan and Stuart were the first couple to get married in Orta. The both come from Scotland as you can also see from groom’s special suit!

A wonderful day in Orta with a mild temperature, almost like summer, pretty unusual for this period considering that Spring has just arrived!
This was the perfect frame for Siobhan and Stuart’s wedding!
As tradition wants Siobhan arrived to Villa Bossi by a rowing boat with her father. The civil ceremony had also a special touch with a wonderful blessing conducted by our celebrants Diane and Giuseppe.
After a pretty walk in the medieval village of Orta bride and groom had a wonderful aperitif in the gardens of Villa Gippini part of San Rocco Hotel, where Siobhan and Stuart also had a delicious dinner with all their guests.

We would like to thank Independent Pictures photographers who gave us in few hours the first wonderful shots of this sweet event.

Italian Lakes Wedding blog ended 2010 with a great post about Lina and Borja’s wedding Lake Maggiore’s Wedding of the Year.
We really wanted to begin this fabulous 2011 with another wonderful wedding that we all keep in our hearts. We are talking about Eve-Marie and Roland’s wedding on Lake Orta.

This time we want to tell you about that in a unique way: Eve-Marie and Roland’s wedding will be described directly by bride and groom!

Roland and I are both from Dublin. We met in college and had been great friends for almost a year before we starting going out and that was seven years ago now.
We had planned a big wedding in Ireland and were ready to start paying deposits when we realised that we didn’t want a big wedding with lots of people who we hadn’t met or who didn’t know us. We sat back and really thought about what we wanted and decided we’d love to have a relaxed wedding in Italy with those that matter most to us both. We focused on the northern lake region of Italy because it would have lovely weather in September when we wanted to get married and it was close to airports.
We started searching for planners online and Valentina kept coming up.
The Italian Lake Weddings site instilled us with confidence that these planners were the real deal, so we started emailing Valentina and arranged to come over and view some possible venues on the Italian Lakes.

Roland and I arrived in Orta the night before we were due to meet Valentina (and her colleague and husband Ernesto) and decided to go for a walk down the town. Within 5 minutes of walking through the cobbled village with the beautiful coloured buildings on either side and entering into the stunning piazza with it’s view of the lake and San Julius island, we had decided that Orta was the prettiest place we’d ever seen, that we wanted to share it with all our friends and family. We just had to get married there.

We decided to stay in the hotel San Rocco with our 45 guests. The hotel staff were so accommodating. As a special treat they gave Roland and I the suite in the Villa Gippini which really made the start of our wedding visit magical.

Our wedding was a 3 day affair and the Italian Lakes Wedding Planners helped us to organise all.
We had a Welcome Lunch for our 45 guests in Due Santi Restaurant in the centre of the piazza looking out over the lake. Later that day we took 2 boats across to the island for an amazing rehearsal dinner on the terrace at the Restaurant on St. Julius island, in the middle of the lake. The day after the wedding, we went for a leisurely pizza in La Campana Pizzeria, before we headed home.

Continue Reading »

You will surely remember about our beautiful bride Nicola who got married last June with Bryan on Lake Orta. We have already told you about their wonderful wedding with ceremony to Sacro Monte church and with romantic and intimate reception to follow to Hotel San Rocco.

For the first time we will talk you about the main theme Nicola chose for the wedding and this is the first time we are presenting here a gold themed wedding on Lake Orta!
Such and original choice Nicola and Bryan did for their wedding in italy.
As we told you Nicola and Bryan decided for an intimate wedding for no more than 25 people.
In the afternoon of a gold sunny day on the lake Nicola arrived to the church with her father and her sister.

They were perfect! Nicola’s dress was amazing with all laces and the fist touch of gold was given by the sweet ivory and gold dress her lovely sister had on.
Bridal bouquet and decorations in the church were of course ivory themed to keep them simple and elegant. Chic and delicate gold touch was kept for the reception to the reception.

The arrangements of the tables were surely a touch of good taste Nicola has indeed.

It was made up with just some ivory floating flowers, ivory tablecloths and chairs to begin on the three round table in Rotary Room overlooking the lake. Continue Reading »

Nicola and Bryan are a wonderful Irish couple who fell in love with Lake Orta more than a year ago. They decided for an intimate wedding for no more than 25 people on Lake Orta.

Nicola got in her eyes charm and elegance on this pretty romantic lake on Northen Italy and made it hers. She is for sure one of the most elegant bride I had I simply loved her style.
She loved little details as I do too.

First of all have a look to her look.
The hairdo was arranged by Cristina one of the best hairdresser in Orta who spent more than 2 hours with Nicola creating the perfect style on her.

Nicola’s make up was elegant and simple too.
The perfect make up a bride should wear: you can appreciate it but it is not too strong just delicate and fresh. Continue Reading »

Flowers and balloons? Why not?
If flowers are a very important element in a wedding balloons could add a touch of fun to the event going out from the schemes.

First of all I would love to introduce you the main actor of wedding I will tell you about: Desiree and Sander a very nice couple coming from Holland.

For their Italian wedding Desiree and Sander chose Villa Bossi and magic atmospheres of Lake Orta.
Enrico Mocci from Artefoto Arona was their photographer. He took a fresh and dynamic reportage. Just have a look to Desiree and Sander’s PHOTOGALLERY to experience Enrico Mocci’s unique skills.

As for Mariana and Matteo, wedding took place in three different places. First Villa Crespi where bride and groom got ready and came back.

For their first night as married they choose Suite Regina Vittoria. Just a dreamy rooms embellished with red fabrics, furniture dated back to 1700 and a fine marble bathroom with Jacuzzi bath.

After a short walk Desiree and her friends reached Orta Main square. From here bride and father got on the traditional rowing boat to reach Villa Bossi where Orta town hall is located. Here a lovely civil ceremony took place. Continue Reading »

Right after Valentina and Diane, I would like to tell you something on Bevin and Steven’s symbolic wedding in Villa Gippini, too.
As floral designer my task was taking care about floral arrangements for this lovely event my colleague and friend Valentina organized.

I personally thank Italian Lakes Wedding wedding planner Valentina, Diego and Estella photographers and San Rocco Hotel for the stunning floral images they put on disposal.

I never met Bevin before her wedding.
All we did was dealing via email. Bevin wrote me from United States telling here wishes.
I got her back trying to advice at my best always keeping in mind her needs.

Bevin decided for a simple but elegant arrangement which was perfect for such an intimate and cosy wedding.

At the very beginning we thought that tulips were the right choice. Tulips are very seasonal in April.

At the end her big love for roses came out so we decided to go with them.

So it was all about Red Roses! Red was Bevin and Steven’s theme just like LOVE.

Red was the color of Bevin’s bouquet. I created it with Red Berlin roses. This kind of roses come with blooms. They are round shaped petals. But most of all they are deep red.

Bevin wanted a Nosegay style bouquet without any greenery where Red Berlin roses were the main character.

Red were centerpieces for the reception to Hotel San Rocco. I used Red Berlin roses too.
The shape was rounded but a littel bit wider than the bouquet. In order to obtain this effect I used acid green Alchemilla and Chamaelacium greenery. All was laid down on a base of deep green ferns.

The only different color I used was white.
I used Iceberg white roses for the four bridesmaids’ bouquets, too. I loved Bevin’s choice to create a lovely contrast between bouquets and beautiful cherry red dress.

I used it to decorate columns at Villa Gippini, too. I realized it with long festoons of Ruscus embellished Iceberg white roses and Gypsophilia. Continue Reading »

Maybe it was because the party were mostly Irish that the sun made un- seasonal appearance, thus providing a summery feel to an early April blessing at Villa Gippini. A few female guests kicked off their heels to enjoy the soft grass and the shade of a nearby tree. The Irish groom and American bride were thrilled about the clement weather as a few days before it had been raining hard.

The beautiful villa garden adjoins a jetty by the picturesque Lake Orta. This was a lush and sophisticated setting for a beautiful blessing ceremony performed by main Celebrant Giuseppe and assisted by Co-Celebrant Diane.

The groom awaited the arrival of the blushing bride while managing to hide his nervousness admirably, aided by a little Irish humour on the part of some of the male contingent. The lake provided the perfect background for professional photos against the descending sun. The musicians performed Corale dalla cantata n.147 (Bach) for an entrance with strings, initiated by the ‘women in red’ (several stunning bridesmaids) plus a couple of small adorable Irish boys who were the all important ring bearers.

Bevin was led by her father down the aisle of red carpet adorned with petals and looked stunning. She was overcome with emotion during the vows. The couple had requested a relatively brief ceremony but were pleasantly surprised when the proceedings were concluded with an unexpected performance by the Celebrants of an antique Italian love Sonnet…. a romantic ending to a perfect memory…  Continue Reading »

Today we would like to tell you about a very special event Italian Lakes Wedding Team followed:Bevin and Steven Wedding to Villa Gippini in Orta San Giulio – Lake Orta.
A special event for so many reasons. One above all: symbolic ceremony was arranged just on the lake shores with evocative St. Julius island in the background.
Let’s go through ever single detail of it!

Special One: Lake Orta as you’ve never seen before!
it was a wonderful Spring sunny day. Sky was clear with small clouds. Lake water was completely transparent and mountains were green after a long winter.
This was the great scenery for Bevin and Steven’s wedding.
Just the right day to promote this lake!

Special Two: Diego and Estella photographs.
Diego and Estella are two creative and state of the art photographers!
We decided to put them as “Special Event” of the day because their shots were simply great. Let’s have a look to the PHOTO GALLERY with the most beautiful Diego and Estella pictures of Bevin and Steven’s wedding.

Special Three: Villa Gippini, the most exclusive venue on Lake Orta.
Villa Gippini is an ancient villa date back to 1500 located just on the lake shores.
It was built in the medieval center of Orta San Giulio.
Nowadays Hotel San Rocco is the owner of the villa and it rarely allows its utilization for special events, like Bevin and Steven’s wedding.

Villa Gippini is a private venue which not open to public. It created a very intimate atmosphere for the wedding.

Special Four: Bevin’s bridesmaids.
They were all in a elegant but sexy cherry red dress.
The four bridesmaids were all so friendly and smiling. They were able to add a touch of glamour and real fun to the ceremony that sometimes could seem even too serious. Continue Reading »

I’m sure that I won’t exaggerate telling that Bevin and Steven’s symbolic wedding to Villa Gippini was a wonderful event for a wide range of reasons.
First of all the wonderful sunny day that delighted bride and groom and their guests coming from US. Valentina Lombardi was the wedding coordinator, Monika Andermatten was the floral designer for ceremony and centerpiece to San Rocco Hotel reception.
In the next days Valentina and Monika will tell you more about the event. Just as soon as photographers Estella and Diego from Photo27.com will give us images of Bevin and Steven’s wedding.
Today I just wanted to give you a little detail that I was able to “steal” during the symbolic ceremony in Villa Gippini’s garden. Some of the guests decided to to take away their shoes to enjoy the wonderful garden, just leaving them under the big kaki tree. Isn’t it fun?

As floral designer last week end I took care of the two first weddings on Lake Orta.
First one was held in Castello di Miasino and the other was arranged at Villa Bossi. Both of them were with civil ceremonies.
While we are waiting for official images taken by Federico Fasano, to Castello di Miasino and Enzo Franza, to Villa Bossi, I would like to show you some first detail of my first two weddings of the year, today.

Ivonn and Giorgio’s wedding at Castello di Miasino had a pink and white color theme. I matched Avalanche and Plaza roses with white Dendrobium orchids. In order to enrich the floral arrangement on ceremony table, I plaited some Bear Grass leaves giving them a heart shape to recall love symbol.

As for centerpieces, I used high flute glasses filling them with pink little stones and Avalanche roses. All was emphasized by Bear Grass leaves that went up the composition: a simple and good rate solution that has great effect!

Roses are also Laura and Carlo’s wedding main theme to Villa Bossi, Orta San Giulio town hall, one of the most evocative venue in Italy to celebrate a civil ceremony on the open air.
Their color theme was white and orange. I used lovely white gerberas and roses together with long Lilies Longiflorum. The arrangement matched reception venue’s one too. Reception was held to San Rocco Hotel, one of the most exclusive venue of Lake Orta, recently charmingly renewed and reopened.

Laura’s bouquet was something really nice too! It was a round vintage bouquet colored by many pastel shades, that went from cream white to orange and ochre. All flowers were wrapped in the same fabric of bridal dress. Continue Reading »

If you are planning your wedding on Italian Lakes, Villa Gippini could represent the ideal venue to plan a wonderful cocktail party on Orta Lakeshore.
It was built during 1700 near Hotel San Rocco that now owns it. Together San Rocco hotel and Villa Gippini are one of the best luxury solution for a wedding party.

Hotel San Rocco is a special and charming place. For more than 150 years it has been a convent. This happened up to the end of 60s when it was converted in the main building of the hotel.
Villa Gippini was added after some years. The baroque building is rich precious handcrafts, stuccoes and frescoes. Its garden is just a romantic corner overlooking the lake with a precious little fountain and pleasant shadowy trees.
Usually photographers love to shoot some pictures to bridegrooms with the unforgettable panorama on St. Julius Island on the back.
Another important fact is that Villa Gippini is located at just few steps from Villa Bossi, Orta San Giulio town hall where civil bendings are held.

The villa is easily reachable by feet from Maria Assunta Church in Orta or Orta Sacro Monte one too where religious bendings are held.

History, nature, idyllic scenario and Orta Lake: stunning features that make Villa Gippini one of the best venues in Lake District.
Consider that the garden could be rented just for a cocktail party or a pleasant aperitif, a wonderful place to celebrate your big day together with relatives and friends. Continue Reading »